Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Review

At 15.3 by 9.9 by 18.1 inches, this roll-top pack weighs 5.1 pounds but fits comfortably on the shoulders. The Yeti Hopper M20's DryHide™ Shell is water-resistant, so water only beads on the material instead of soaking it. Overall, the Yeti Hopper M20 is a clear winner.

Performance Comparison

Insulation

After testing various top-quality models according to the USDA Safe Food Temperature scales, we were impressed by this Yeti model's ability to keep our food and beverages cold. It remained below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for 3.6 days and below 50 degrees for four days.

You can confidently take this cooler along with you for longer-term use. Whether you're going away for a beach weekend or on a camping trip, this cooler has enough space with 20.1 liters of capacity. So anything you stuff inside—from sandwiches to hard seltzers—will stay cool for the weekend (even a long weekend).

Convenience

The Yeti Hopper M20 also scored highly in terms of ease of use. Packing it is a little bit challenging, since the top only opens about five inches if you physically pull it apart. And because it is deep and quite long, you do need to reach shoulder-deep into it at times. What we did enjoy is that this pack still maintains its shape even without ice or anything in it.

Overall, it's relatively easy to pack and clean. The cooler opens at the top; it has a hard magnetic strip and two buckles, which we found shockingly difficult to open and close. There is a lip over the magnetic strip that folds over one time, and the buckles secure it. (The buckles were the biggest source of pain we had with this cooler.)

You can easily clean the M20 off by hosing it down. You can also use a gentle dish soap if there are stains. Just be warned that the bag doesn't stay open on its own, so drying the inside can be a bit tricky. The bag doesn't fold down or collapse easily, so its storage footprint is quite large for a soft cooler. But that's largely due to the materials made to contribute to its great insulation and durability.

Portability

The Yeti Hopper M20 also scored highly in terms of portability. While this cooler weighs a little more than the rest of our lineup at 5.1 pounds, the weight distributes quite comfortably when you wear it on both of your shoulders. The backpack straps are padded, and the length is adjustable on both sides. While there is no waist strap, it does come with a removable chest strap that you can clip onto the daisy loops on either strap. This way, you can also customize the strap height, which is convenient. The back panel beneath the straps is made of a black semi-padded material that is smooth on the skin. It feels more like cloth than neoprene, so it's comfortable.

We didn't experience any bouncing around when we wore the pack. But if you prefer to carry the cooler instead, the side and back handles are handy for lifting. Note that this cooler does feel quite heavy when full, but the handles are conveniently located to distribute the weight well. Because of how big and bulky it is, we believe it's thoughtfully designed to lift and lower with ease.

Packability

The Yeti Hopper M20 isn't the best packability-wise. The opening at the top doesn't open very wide, which makes it difficult to fit bulkier stuff inside. We found that our arms tended to brush against the insides of the cooler and the magnetic strip, as well, when we were loading it up and taking cans out of it. It's especially difficult since the cooler seems to want to shut itself while you're packing it. The width of the bag also makes it very difficult to pour a bag of ice inside.

However, there are exterior loops to clip carabiners and an additional daisy chain on both sides of the pack. Each backpack strap also has seven clippable loops on either side, so you have tons of options for clipping items to the outside of the pack, as well as stuffing items inside.

Durability

We put the Yeti Hopper M20 through the ringer to test its durability. As one of the most expensive coolers on our list, we expected it to perform well in our durability category — and it did. It holds up wonderfully in wet conditions, with only a few water droplets on the exterior when submerged in water.

The shoulder pads were damp upon removal from the tub, but they dried in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the interior of the pack was completely dry with no signs of moisture. For not being zipper-sealed, this pack surprised us with how well it did.

The M20 also didn't sustain any damages throughout testing. You can rest assured that it will last you, whether you're just taking it to the pool or out river-rafting. It's built to withstand adventures and can handle rough terrains. While it won't be as sturdy as a hard cooler (which you can use as a stepping stool, table, or seat), you can be confident that it's still strong enough to adventure alongside you.

Should You Buy the Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack?

Whether or not the Yeti Hopper M20 is for you largely depends on your budget for a cooler. If you're in a position to invest in a more expensive cooler, this one is a great option. While expensive, this cooler is sure to last you a long time. It is the most durable and well-insulated soft cooler we have tested, and it's easy to lug around either on your pack or with the handles.

However, if you are not in a place to purchase a soft cooler for hundreds of dollars, the Yeti Hopper M20 is not the cooler for you. If you are looking for a cooler that can double as a stepping stool, table, or camping chair, a hard cooler might be a better option, as well. Yeti has a whole range of hard coolers at similar (or more expensive) price points, but the money might be better spent if you can use the cooler in different ways.

What Other Soft Coolers Should You Consider?

If you don't want to spend a lot on a cooler, you can also check out mid-range options. The RTIC Backpack 30 is another backpack-style option that is also both durable and portable. While you won't get quite as good of insulation, this cooler comes at about a third of the price of the Yeti Hopper M20.

If you're only looking for a throw-around cooler you won't use much; an awesome budget-friendly option is the Lifewit large Insulated 24. This cooler is highly affordable and has lots of convenient features. It weighs only 0.8 pounds (compared to the 5.2 pounds Yeti Hopper M20, but it still boasts 13.2 liters of space.